Israelis Deny Knowledge Of Krytron Rules

May 18, 1985|By New York Times

JERUSALEM — Israel obtained from the United States the 800 electronic devices that can be used to set off nuclear bombs without knowing there were any restrictions on their export, says the Israeli Defense Ministry and the man who owned the Israeli company that imported them.

''Israel was not aware of any ban on purchasing those devices,'' Defense Ministry spokesman Nachman Shai said of the parts known as krytrons.

''Israel is prepared to return all of the krytrons it has in stock to the United States,'' Shai said. ''We are ready to provide the Americans with any information they need. We truly want to remove any suspicions concerning Israeli involvement in this matter.''

A California man, Richard Kelly Smyth, was charged Thursday in a federal indictment with illegally exporting the 2-inch devices to Israel.

Israel has maintained that the krytrons are used strictly for non- nuclear purposes.